Desperate Action at Le Ferme Rouge

A 1914 game played out recently here in GHQ between Phil and yours truly saw Phil's growing Early War German collection pitted against my BEF lads. The action centred around the ruins of a farm and was mainly designed to try out the rule amendments we had worked up since our last run out. As my BEF force currently outnumbers Phil's vile Hun we diced for opening positions, dividing each 2' square of the table into four 1' squares and then allowing one third of the forces to be deployed as each of us chose in the square chosen by a D4 throw for each. The table with the opening positions, BEF to the left ~

The BEF's cavalry brigade, supported by a battery of artillery, boldly advanced on what they thought might be an open flank ~

While on the BEF's opposite flank the Lowland Scots occupied the ruins of the farm and the Gordon Highlanders moved forward on their flank ~

The BEF's centre was held by the South Staffords ~

Meanwhile, the BEF's commanders plotted the downfall of the Hun, from a safe distance to the rear!

Mindful of the fact that his force was outnumbered, but favoured by his dispositional dice throws, Phil drew up a strong centre with his infantry, leaving the artillery and cavalry to cover the exposed flanks. A strong position for a Jaeger battalion on the Hun's left flank ~

British cavalry swept forward on the right flank ~

Only to run into Uhlans lurking in a wood ~

However, while the Uhlans were engaged and then suppressed in the wood, the British got one cavalry element behind the flank ~

The Jaegers had the initiative in the next turn and were able to fire and fight in turn, meaning the cavalry were temporarily beaten off ~

As you can see in the distance in the previous picture, the Highlanders had finally overrun the second Hun battalion, while the South Staffords struck the beleaguered Jaegers in their rear! Despite Hun reserves finally arriving on the table it was all too little too late. With his force overwhelmed and fleeing the fight Phil graciously threw in the towel and accepted defeat!

The game was fast, furious and fun. We've identified a few minor areas we want to work on before the next test game, so look out for the next encounter later in the year. In the meantime, from 1914, "Goodbyeee!"